The Ministry of Works informs the general public that it has completed the reconstruction of the Low Level Wooden Bridge spanning the Macal River in San Ignacio / Santa Elena.

The reconstruction works were done by a local contractor and was supervised by engineers from the Ministry of Works.

The Ministry of Works has completed its final inspection of the bridge and informs the general public that the bridge was opened for use today, October 20, 2016 at 10:00 a.m.

The Ministry thanks the general public for their patience during the period of reconstruction of the bridge.

Relief for the residents of San Ignacio and Santa Elena with bridge re-opening

Residents from San Ignacio and Santa Elena are now breathing a collective sigh of relief that a bridge has been re-opened to relieve the congestion of traffic. The Low Level Wooden Bridge spanning the Macal River in San Ignacio and Santa Elena was officially opened with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday morning of last week.

Simeon Herrera, from the Ministry of Works’ core of engineers did a final inspection of the re-built bridge early on Thursday where a decision was then made to open the bridge. Hon. Rene Montero, Minister of Public Works, Alberto August, Chairman of the United Democratic Party, Mike Salazar, Deputy Mayor of the San Ignacio and Santa Elena Town Council as well as many other partners were present to witness the opening of the bridge, which has now been fitted with the long lasting Bullet Tree Lumber.

According to the Hon. Rene Montero the low lying bridge “…can hopefully withstand another Earl.” Over two months ago, Hurricane Earl had swept half of the bridge downriver bringing with it much inconvenience for motorists, who had to rely on the Hawkesworth Bridge. Built at a cost of $145,000.00 the wooden bridge brings with it protective safety features and was built by Rafael Cho from Santa Elena Town.

Hon. Rene Montero also informed the Guardian that another project is coming on-stream next year thanks to the Caribbean Development Bank CDB, where the road section between Three Flags and the Hawkesworth Bridge in Santa Elena will be paved and sidewalks added. Both Liberty Street and part of the George Price Avenue in front of the Saint Ignatius High School will also be paved.

“We intend to continue the progress and continue to do the work that we promised the people, and we promised to deliver and make life better for the residents of the Twin Towns of San Ignacio and Santa Elena and Cayo Central on a whole,” said the Hon. Rene Montero, who is also the representative for the Cayo Central Division.